Farmers demand 'justice' for victims of Lakhimpur Kheri violence. What happened in 2021?

About 20,000 farmers from 200 unions in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are headed to the national capital on tractors, prepared to camp outside Delhi borders for the long haul. In addition to a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, debt waivers and pension, a key demand of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march is "justice" for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Farmers were camped at Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh in 2021, blocking highways to Delhi, in protest against the now repealed farm laws, when four of them were mowed down by a car. A driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched in retaliation by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence that ensued.

A special investigation team of the UP Police has charged Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra's son Ashish Mishra of murder and criminal conspiracy, as he was allegedly driving the vehicle. He is out on bail.

Farmer unions have demanded 'justice' for the victims and compensation to the families. They also want cases filed against farmers during the 2020-21 protests to be withdrawn.

The Central government had reached out to the farmers ahead of 'Delhi Chalo' march, in an attempt to reach a compromise and prevent a repeat of the 2021 showdown. Reports suggest the government has agreed to provide compensation to Lakhimpur Kheri victims and withdraw cases against farmers.

However, farmers decided to go ahead with their march to Delhi, demanding an MSP guarantee for all crops, farm loan waivers and the implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations.

Also Watch: 'Delhi Chalo' march: police fire tear gas at farmers at Punjab-Haryana border